Chapter 33
As Drew approached the next ship docked at London’s wharves, he cracked a huge smile and chuckled.
Chase caught him up and asked, “What is it? What’s so funny?”
“This is my ship.” Drew headed toward the gangway.
“You own a ship?” Chase seemed confused.
Drew stepped onto the ramp. “No, this is the ship on which I returned home.”
“Well, if you were kidnapped and impressed, why would you smile?”
“I left that first ship for a better offer after about six months. After two other ships, I came on board this one, Fortune’s Lady, when this captain offered me an even more profitable income for my knowledge and skills with languages. It worked out rather well for him and definitely much better for me because I amassed the monies needed to restore the family’s reserves. After my hiatus in China, I found this ship again to bring me home.”
At the top of the gangway, the ship buzzed with activity everywhere one looked. Recognizing Captain Dunnard as he shouted down instructions to sailors in the hold, Drew walked over.
“Excuse me, I understand you sail the seven seas,” Drew stated in his most regal and condescending manner.
“What the bloody hell . . .” The captain, a tall but stout man with grizzled grey hair and twinkling grey eyes redirected his attention. About to lambaste the insulting intruder, he recognized Drew. “Andy? Is that you? Do my eyes deceive me and you’ve become a bloody landlubber? Are you ready to set sail again? I certainly could use you when I return to the islands of the Pacific.”
Drew extended his hand. The captain grabbed it and gave it a hearty shake, then wrapped his arms around Drew and bounced him up and down for good measure.
“Aye, Captain Dunnard, it’s me but I’m not bound for sea any time soon. I’ve returned to find my father passed on and now I’m the Earl of Reignsfield for my trouble.”
The captain made a formal bow, then poked Drew in the ribs. “You’ll always be Andy to me, my lord. And, welcome on my ship whenever and wherever she sails. Now, what brings you back to Fortune’s Lady and who is this landsman already turning green and we haven’t even left dockside?”
Drew turned to his companion. “This is my brother-in-law, Charles Durand.”
Chase extended his hand and he, too, received a robust handshake from the captain.
Drew continued. “I’m afraid we’ve come to you distressed and frustrated and hoping you can help. It’s my wife, his sister, we search for. She’s been kidnapped by a person, a man, we thought a family friend. We have fears he’ll take her abroad despite her desire to have nothing to do with his plan.” Drew reached into his pocket and pulled out the miniature. “Perchance have you seen this woman, my wife, Marianne? I will reward any news anyone might have of her.”
Captain Dunnard took the picture and studied it. “You carried this on your travels all over the world. I remember how you protected it and how many of the other sailors teased you about it. Jealousy, no doubt.” The captain stroked his beard in deep thought. “No, I haven’t seen her. Not on my ship. Not on the wharves and docks in the area. Have you asked all the other captains? Have you asked in the inns and taverns?”
“Aye.” Drew fell easily back into the language of a seaman. “As we’ve come along the docks and wharves and inns we’ve inquired at each of them. There are only a few captains left to ask. I’m afraid time is of the essence, as who knows how quickly he’ll put out to sea with Marianne in tow and then it might be impossible to find her. Upon my return, I learned that runners had been sent around the world looking for me the entire time I wandered the globe and yet I never heard or met a one of them.”
“Well,” the captain looked over the other ships down the line of the wharf. “If I had seen her or even heard of her, I would let you know. It’s not too often a lady of high station frequents the docks, so such an occurrence usually sends a rapid ripple of agitation. When we’re in port, news travels like fire spreads on a ship. If you don’t locate her here, I’d suggest you search in Bristol or Liverpool. Closest major ports to London with ships heading out all over the world, especially to the Americas. I’d hurry up there if you don’t find her here. Since I’ve heard nothing of her, I’d stake the contents of my hold she’s not on board any of these ships.”
“Thank you, Captain. We’ll check with the other captains to be thorough but I expect you’re correct. If you haven’t heard, probably she’s not here.” They shook hands once again and Drew and Chase returned to the gangway.
“Just remember,” Captain Dunnard yelled after him, “if you want to sail again I’ll take you, no questions asked. And you can bring that landlubber with you. We’ll toughen him up out at sea!”
~ ~ ~
At the Wayfarer’s Inn at dockside London, Chase set his half-filled ale mug down after taking a large swallow. They had spent the entire afternoon talking with captains and innkeepers. “I don’t understand why we haven’t found any clue as to which boat Marianne boarded. You’ve shown the miniature to every captain in port and at the taverns. You’d think someone, anyone, would have seen her and remember her. It’s not like she’d look like any other female at the docks. She carries herself like a lady, not some shipside doxy.” He lifted his mug again.
Drew gently stroked the talisman in his left coat pocket. Chase was right. They should have found some evidence that Marianne had made it to the docks in London. That could only mean one thing . . . She wasn’t here.
She could be anywhere, but his gut told him Gentilly would head for the sea. What safer place than to abscond with a person to a foreign shore where no one would know them and no questions would be asked? And who would know better than himself how well that process would work?
He could not, however, believe that Marianne went willingly. Their conversation mere days ago assured him that she had decided to stay with him. With their daughter. Every day, their bond seemed to strengthen. In truth, he did not want to live life without her if it were his decision to make.
“Drew, what should we do now? Do we head for Scotland? Alert Scotland Yard and the Metropolitan Police? I’m at a loss.”
The barmaid set two plates of food down in front of them.
His reverie broken, Drew picked up his spoon to waylay what felt like imminent starvation. They hadn’t taken any time for sustenance since they’d left his wife’s family hours ago. There they had not eaten much. “I’m betting he’s heading for the sea. If he is, the police can’t help us. Scotland’s too far and still under British control. No, I think he’ll go to the Americas or Australia. He can do what he wants in either place, establish a whole new personality and history with no questions asked.”
“You don’t think Annie left you of her own accord, do you? I thought things were going so well between you.” Chase tucked into his meal.
Breaking off a piece of bread, Drew looked up. “No. We’ve already had that discussion. She chose me. And I’m only too happy she did. We’ll be a family in every sense of the word. With luck, in time, we’ll have a son and heir to the lands. But that’s a moot point if we can’t find her and get her back home.” Drew took a bite of the stew and a swig of the ale the barmaid had just topped off.
“Then what’s our next move?” Chase nodded to the wench as she also refilled his mug.
“We’ll need to split up and go where Captain Dunnard suggested. One for Bristol, the other for Liverpool. If Gentilly is headed for the sea, and on board a ship would make it difficult to follow him based upon my own experience, those are the two most likely ports other than London. Since we’ve had no luck here, I’m sure he’s taken her to one of them.”
“I’ll take Liverpool.” Chase picked up his spoon after taking another swallow of ale. “It’s farther away so I’m betting he went to Bristol. Alone you should make good time, and maybe you can catch them before their ship sets sail.”
Drew toasted with his mug as Chase clinked them together. “I’m for that. Let’s finish up here and head out. We haven’t a moment to lose. As you know, ships set sail every day each time the tides go out. We can only hope that they’ll be stuck in port for a few days due to weather or lack of accommodations.”